Business · Associated Press Technology
Mariners agree to $95M, 8-year contract with top shortstop prospect Colt Emerson
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SEATTLE — Colt Emerson and the Seattle Mariners agreed Tuesday to a $95 million, eight-year contract, the largest amount for a minor league prospect yet to make his major league debut.
Key facts
- Emerson’s salaries for 2031-34 can escalate based on awards he earns from 2026-30: $1 million for top five in MVP voting, $500,000 for sixth through 10th, $250,000 for a Silver Slugger and $150,000
- Emerson gets an $8 million signing bonus, $2 million payable within 90 days of the contract’s approval by Major League Baseball, $2 million on April 1, 2027, and $4 million on Oct. 1, 2028
- He receives salaries of $1 million this year, $2 million in 2027, $9 million in 2028, $12 million in 2029, $14 million in 2030, $15 million in 2031, $16 million in 2032 and $18 million in 2033
- He appeared in 18 spring training games for the Mariners and batted.268 with two homers, eight RBIs and an.828 OPS
Summary
The contract starts this season and includes a team option for 2034. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said the team first engaged in contract discussions with Emerson’s agent in spring training, and he was pleased ahead of Seattle’s game Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. “We felt that this was the right time to put something in front of Colt that kept him a part of what’s happening with the Mariners through the prime years of his career,” Dipoto said. Dipoto also understands there is reason for concern with signing a 20-year-old shortstop to such a contract before he plays in his first major league game.